PROFESSOR BURCKHARDT’S REPORTED MISSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1939, Page 5

PROFESSOR BURCKHARDT’S REPORTED MISSION

No Information Received in London SITUATION GETTING CLOSE OFFICIAL ATTENTION PRESS CRITICISM OF NAZI ARROGANCE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Angnst, 14. Developments affecting the European situation continue to engage close attention in official quarters in London, and 1 if Foreign Secretary. Lord Halifax. whose holiday is being spent in Yorkshire. with frequent visits to London, will be at the Foreinn Office for the next two days. ,Lord Halifax this morning received the Turkish Ambassador. Dr Aras. _ Some interest has been aroused by Professor Ijiirckhaidt s visit to Berchtesgaden, but no information regarding any proposals for a sell lenient of the Danzig issue has been received m London. The Italian Foreign Secretary, Count Ciano conferred will) Signor Mussolini lasi .night, stales a message front Koine. Ihe Fascist Press continues to express satisfaction over the talks at Salzburg between Count Ciano and the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Bibbent rop. The newspapers stress that Danzig was the keynote, but hint that a large part, of the discussions was devoted to the Italian claims against France. The Berlin correspondent oi the ‘‘Daily Express (an Independent Service message states) learns that Herr Ilitlei and Signor Alussoliui have entrusted a Danzig peace offer to Professor Burckhardl. 'lt will be passed on to the Polish Government and probably England and France. The initiative in Professor Burckhardt’s mission was taken by Signor Alussoliui, who is insisting on some diplomatic move for a final peace otter before Herr Hitler takes any ofhei measures to regain the Free City.

“The Times,” commenting at the weekend on the consultations at Salzburg arid Berchtesgaden, says: "No object could be more worthy of statesmanship today than a peace settlement fully and freely accepted by all the Powers concerned. > “If that should be the genuine object and policy of the two Axis countries, they would no doubt find general readiness to confer among all interested States—with the obvious and indispensable provisions that there must be a prima facie case for modification of the present arrangements, and that it was fully understood that changes, if any are to be made, are to take place as a result' of negotiation and not of force." AN IMPOSSIBLE ATTITUDE. Referring to Danzig in particular, “The Times” says that Herr Foerster’s recent speeches mark the profound difference which exists between the point of view of Germany and that of every other country, as when he coolly asserts that the only people who have a right to concern themselves about Danzig are the people of Danzig. "The position of Danzig.” says “The Times,” "most obviously and unchallengably makes the matter one of deep concern to Poland, and other countries have been brought into it precisely because of the arrogant assumption by Germany that any problem in which she is interested must be solved by unquestioned compliance with her own wishes. “This country and other countries — among whom may certainly in principle now be included Russia —are determined not to accept the arbitrary pronouncements of the German leaders that such and such a European question is one for Germany alone and must be settled exactly as Germany desires. “There can be no peace in Europe as long as any one country assumes that impossible attitude toward the rest. The only certain consequence of assuming it is that it will in time band all others against it."